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Real-Life Impact of Executive Function Impairments in Adults Who Were Born Very Preterm

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2017

Jasmin Kroll ,
Vyacheslav Karolis ,
Philip J. Brittain ,
Chieh-En Jane Tseng ,
Sean Froudist-Walsh ,
Robin M. Murray  and
Chiara Nosarti
Jasmin Kroll*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Vyacheslav Karolis
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Philip J. Brittain
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Chieh-En Jane Tseng
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Sean Froudist-Walsh
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Robin M. Murray
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Chiara Nosarti
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Jasmin Kroll, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives: Children and adolescents who were born very preterm (≤32 weeks’ gestation) are vulnerable to experiencing cognitive problems, including in executive function. However, it remains to be established whether cognitive deficits are evident in adulthood and whether these exert a significant effect on an individual’s real-lifeachievement. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we tested a range of neurocognitive abilities, with a focus on executive function, in a sample of 122 very preterm individuals and 89 term-born controls born between 1979 and 1984. Associations between executive function and a range of achievement measures, indicative of a successful transition to adulthood, were examined. Results: Very preterm adults performed worse compared to controls on measures of intellectual ability and executive function with moderate to large effect sizes. They also demonstrated significantly lower achievement levels in terms of years spent in education, employment status, and on a measure of functioning in work and social domains. Results of regression analysis indicated a stronger positive association between executive function and real-life achievement in the very preterm group compared to controls. Conclusions: Very preterm born adults demonstrate executive function impairments compared to full-term controls, and these are associated with lower achievement in several real-life domains. (JINS, 2017, 23, 381–389)

Keywords

Executive functionVery preterm adultAchievementIntelligenceNeuropsychologyPremature birth
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 23 , Issue 5 , May 2017 , pp. 381 - 389
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2017 

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